College Football players need to determine fate of 2020 season
College Football players need to determine fate of 2020 season
College Football players don’t have a Players’ Union fighting for their rights or negotiating on their behalves to gain better leverage or traction.
Instead, they’re stuck with the reality of having to hear of decisions being made by Conference Commissioners, Athletic Directors and the NCAA without even being consulted in the process.
As we proceed through this pandemic, though, something needs to change when it comes to how, when and if College Football is played: Players need to be given a real choice on the playing of the season and a place at the decision-makers’ table.
Despite popular belief, College Football players are grown adults
Though they aren’t paid like professional athletes- and many argue that they should be- these aren’t just ’18-24 year old kids’ as many want to say.
In some cases, these players are fathers. They’re husbands. They’re looking out for their families and they want to make the best decisions possible when it comes to how they conduct themselves and what they do to potentially reach their overall goal of becoming a professional athlete.
So, that being said, the solution is fairly simple: If health & government officials deem it safe to play- with or without fans- College Football players need to be given a simple ‘opt-in’ or ‘opt-out’ decision.
If they choose to opt-in, they assume the risks, but also the rewards of playing. If they choose to opt-out, they potentially miss some of the risks. Their scholarship shouldn’t be taken from them, they shouldn’t lose a year of eligibility and they should still be in good standing with the team beginning next season. In other words, this year just serves as a redshirt.
If we have enough players who say they want to play, then we should proceed with the season. If we don’t, then we should take a step back and cancel.
Next. Trevor Lawrence's decision could be one for the ages. dark
Ultimately, for the first time in the history of College Football, the decision needs to be in the hands of the players. They should determine the fate of the 2020 season.